Tuesday, May 14, 2024

Two Whitman College students, Abedalrahman Jomaa ’25 and Maddie Sramek ’25, have secured spots in the 2024 Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) program offered in partnership with the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science. SURF fellowships offer unparalleled opportunities for hands-on research experience and mentorship in esteemed Mayo Clinic research centers nationwide.

Jomaa, who is one of Whitman’s first students in the new Brain, Behavior & Cognition major, will focus on pharmacogenomics, the study of how a person’s DNA affects their response to medications. His research aims to revolutionize the way alcoholism and depression are treated, offering more effective and tailored therapies.

“I look forward to deepening my understanding of the researcher-clinician role, which will allow me to effectively bridge the gap between laboratory discoveries and their practical applications in patient care,” says Jomaa. 

A Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology (BBMB) major, Sramek conducted research last summer with her advisor, Associate Professor of BBMB Jim Russo. 

“Over the course of the summer, I was exposed to many different techniques that are not taught in the typical undergraduate lab class,” says Sramek. “I’m excited to take these skills with me to the Mayo Clinic this summer and apply them to a different area of metabolic disease research.”

Read more.

Whitman College Technology Services (WCTS) will conduct a full computer inventory of campus assets this summer. If you would like to get a head start, you may provide the information regarding Whitman-owned devices that you have in your campus or home office areas using the WCTS Asset Inventory Google Form.

The Office of Alumni will host a Blues Brunch for the Class of 2024 on Wednesday, May 15 from 10 a.m. to noon in the Reid Campus Center Young Ballroom. Graduating seniors will be treated to a breakfast spread from Bon Appétit, mimosas and more. Please RSVP in advance.

The Northwest 5 Colleges Consortium (NW5C) will host a virtual talk with the authors of “The Activist Academic” on Wednesday, May 15 at 1 p.m. Faculty and staff are invited to join their NW5C colleagues for an interactive conversation. RSVP in advance to receive the Zoom link.

Whitman College Sorority & Fraternity Life Advisor Stace Sievert was recently recognized by her own sorority with the Outstanding Alumna award for the state of New Mexico. She joined Zeta Tau Alpha in the Beta Nu Chapter at New Mexico State University in 1997 and has been involved for many years since. In addition to her role with Whitman’s sororities and fraternities, Sievert has advised at the University of Mississippi, Morehead State University in Kentucky, University of Central Florida and she currently volunteers as the Finance Advisor for the Gamma Iota Chapter of Delta Sigma Phi fraternity at the University of Idaho.

All Day

Whitman Men's Golf NCAA Championships (Day 1)

Away

9–11 a.m.

Final Exams

2–4 p.m.

Final Exams

5–7 p.m.

Garden Party

Organic Garden

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